Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

Mayor Garcetti announces L.A. to go carbon-neutral by 2050

June 7, 2018

BOSTON — Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today at the International Mayors Climate Summit at Boston University that Los Angeles has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This new target — a major step forward from the City’s previous commitment of an 80% reduction by 2050 — is the most ambitious effort by Los Angeles to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

“Los Angeles is a city that plans for the future,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Our City is pursuing the most aggressive emissions targets in the world because the future of our planet should not be jeopardized by inaction in Washington. I strongly believe that we each have an obligation to fight climate change by any means at our disposal.”

"While President Trump denies, delays, and defers on climate change, America's cities drive ahead decisively. A year after Trump announced he wanted out of the Paris Agreement, America's cities are all-in," said former Secretary of State John Kerry. "Whether it's improving the carbon footprint of their buildings and vehicles, expanding public transportation, or setting ambitious emissions-reduction goals from coast to coast, the message is unmistakable. Mayor Garcetti's decision to put Los Angeles on a path toward zero carbon emissions is another important step in the right direction. We need leadership across all sectors and at all levels of government that accepts the magnitude of the climate threat and demonstrates the commitment to fight it."

"Tackling climate change and unleashing the economic, social and health potential of a low carbon future requires radical and urgent action," said Mark Watts, Executive Director, C40 Cities. "By committing to the bold target of making Los Angeles carbon neutral by 2050, Mayor Eric Garcetti is putting Los Angeles on track to deliver on the highest ambition of the Paris Climate Agreement. The Los Angeles region is already rolling out the largest electric bus fleet in America and cities across the United States and around the world will be inspired and watching closely how a city the size of Los Angeles can deliver such transformational climate leadership."

Since Mayor Garcetti was elected to office in 2013, Los Angeles has pursued one of the most aggressive sustainability agendas in the world. Two years later, Mayor Garcetti released his Sustainable City pLAn, a comprehensive overview and roadmap for a more sustainable, prosperous, and equitable Los Angeles.

The pLAn provides additional information and steps Los Angeles is taking to achieve a carbon-free future. The final analysis of L.A.’s carbon neutral pathway will be included in the next pLAn refresh, which is set for release in early 2019.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the other measures and accomplishments that have set Los Angeles on a path to carbon-neutrality by 2050:

Developed comprehensive solar incentive programs for residents and businesses, which helped make Los Angeles the #1 Solar City in America.

Named the #1 ENERGY STAR City by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for having the most energy-efficient buildings in the U.S.

Launched an unprecedented feasibility analysis with LADWP to study an equitable transition from fossil fuels to 100 percent renewable energy.

Passed Measure M in 2016 — the largest local infrastructure measure in U.S. history — which will fund new public transportation projects and improvements over a 40-year period.

Signed the Fossil Fuel Free Streets Declaration alongside 11 other C40 Mayors — which pledges to procure only zero-emission buses by 2025 and ensures that a major area of Los Angeles will be zero-emission by 2030.

Adopted one of the most aggressive EV procurement policies in the country, requiring all new vehicle procurement be at least 50 percent battery electric.

Installed 1,500 publicly available electric vehicle charging stations — the most of any U.S. city — with a plan for another 10,000 in the next five years.

Led the release of an EV RFI with 30 Climate Mayors cities to demonstrate potential demand for over 114,000 electric vehicles of all types — including trash trucks, street sweepers, semis, shuttles, and buses — representing $10 billion in investment.